Knitting machine



' i i iiiii milk! I H r LAUSS MAC INE d Sep 2 1940 File G. O. CLAUSS KNITTING MACHINE Sept. 30, 1941.

Filed Sept. 21, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet .3

Sept. 30, 1941. G. o. CLAUSS KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 21, 1940 l2 Sheets-Sheet 4 P 1941- G. o. CLAUQSS 2,257,332

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 21, 1940 I 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 p 0, 1941- G. o. CLAUSS 2,257,332

KNITTING momma 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 mwwh 3 m w e? Filed Sept 21 1940 Sept. 30, 1941. s. o. CLAUSS mum-me momma Filed Sept. 21, 1940 12 sheets sheet '7 gm aw gkiugfi/gyz my Sept. 30, 1941; 0 cL ss 2,257,332

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Se Q 21, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet a Sept. 30, 1941. G. o. CLAUSS KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 21, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 p 30, 1941. G. o. CLAUSS KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 21, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet l0 p 1941- G. o. CLAUSS 2,257,332

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 21, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 p 1941- G. o. CLAuss 2,257,332

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 21, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet 1a Fig. 23;

Patented Sept. 30, 1941 .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mrrmc monum- Guido 0. 01am, Ellzabethtown, Pa. Application September 21, 1940, Serial No.'357,803

18 Claims.v

This invention relatm to apparatus for making full fashioned hosiery embodying a non-run fabv ric such as disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 273,813 filed May-15, 1939.

The object of the present invention is to provide mechanism which can be readily applied to existing flat full fashioned hosiery knitting machines, both leggers and footers or single-unit machines which make both leg and foot on one machine, to cooperate with the normal regular mechanism of the machine, and which may be readily rendered inoperative to permit the machine to'knit regular normal fabric when desired.

The construction of the new mechanism and its cooperation with the normal elements of the machine will be fully disclosed hereinafter, ref-' erence being had to the accompanying drawings of which:

Fig. 1 is 'a side view of a completed stocking. made in accordance with the principles of the ceeding course of regular stitches;

Fig. 22 is a transverse sectional elevation of the knitting machine equipped with the new mechanism for making the non-run fabric;

Fig. 23 is a face view of the shogging mechanismfor the stitch spreading points as viewed at line age-2:, Fig. '22;

Fig. 24 is a plan view of the'mechanism shown in Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a Fig. 26 illustrates an enlargement of the point shoggingcam and its associated follower;

section taken on the line 25-45. V

Q to the footer;

Fig. 31 is a transverse sectional view of a detail of the invention showing means for operating covering knives for the narrowing points of the footer;

Fig. 32 is a detail view'oflthe cam for operating the covering knives for the narrowing points of the footer;

Fig. 33 is a face view diagrammatically illustrating' mechanism for imparting lateral movement to the covering knives; and

Fig. 341s a view of the stich cam assembly, for the legger and the footer, including a regular stitch cam, a regular narrowing cam, and a nonrun stitch cam.

The stocking A, shown in Fig. 1, and the flat blank, shown in Fig. 2, each includea leg portion A and a foot instep portion A, which are composedof single yarn non-run fabric, and a high splice heel reinforce. A which is composed ofdouble yarn non-runor plain reinforced fabric. The stocking and blank of Figs. 1 and 2 respectively, also include foot sole portions B a fashioned toe portion B heel tabsgfi and a welt or top B? each of of which is composed of regular Orplain fabric formed of one yarn and reinforced with a second yarn in the usual manner.

The non-run fabric portions A A and A -are formed, as illustrated in Fig. 3, with non-run courses a, a, alternating with regular plain courses b, h.

Each non-run course a is composed of locking stitch of the same course but in an adjacent wale, with the laterally spread portion c 1 twisted at .0 between the two wales. This laterally spread portion 0 and the plain stitch (1 over which it lies are knit together with the next succeeding plain stitch c of the next plain course b in the wale with the stitch it over which thespread portion 03 .of the locking stitch 0 lies.

In alternate non-run courses a, the locking stitches'c are staggered or offset one wale with respect to the locking stitches of the intermediate mechanism according to the present invention; non-run course, as shown in Fig. 3. As a result of this arrangement there is a locking stitch c at the intersections of alternate wales and alter nate courses, which will effect stopping of runs along each and every wale.

As shown in Fig. 4, alternating locking stitches c and plain stitches d of a non-run course .a have been drawn through the stitches e, e of a previ-' ously formed plain course b, by the needles I, I, of the knitting machine.

.In Fig. 5, a set of stitch-spreading points 2, 2 have entered the loops between each of said loops and the beards 3 of the needles on which the loops c are hanging, as shown in Fig. 11, and the points 2 have moved rearwardly to carry the bights of the stitch loops 0 back beyond the needle beards 3, as shown in Figs. 5 and 12.

In Fig. 6 the points 2, 2, while still rearwardly spaced from the beards 3, 3, have been shogged laterally to the extent of ,one wale, into planar alignment with the needles respectively adjacent to those on which theloops c, c, originated. The vertical relation between the fabric A, the needles I, the points 2, beards 3, knock-over bits I, and sinkers and dividers 5, while the loop 0 is spread as in Fig. 6, is shown in Fig, 12.

Fig. '7 shows the points 2 as having moved forwardly from the position shown in Fig. 12 to the position shown in Fig. 13, wherein the beards 3 of the needles I have entered the grooves 6 in the points 2, above the spread portion 0 of the loop c. The sinkers and dividers 5, 5 have also moved forwardly, engaged and bent the spread portion (2 of the loops 0 to insure entrance of the tips of the needle beards 3 into the spread loop portions 0 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 14, as the needles are lowered. At this time the sinkers 5 recede and the needles i are lowered, with the fabric A resting on the tops of the sinkers and dividers 5, near the forward] tips thereof.

With the sinkers and dividers 5 still receding, the needles I and points 2 descend and the fabric A moves down onto the tops of the knock-over bits 4, as shown in Fig. 15. The points, 2 then rise, as the needles I further descend, whereby the points 2 are withdrawn from the spread portions 0 of the locking loops 0, as shown in Fig. 16 and in Fig. 8.

When the needles I, I reach their lowermost position, the spread'portions c of the locking loops 0, which have advanced upwardly along the needle beards 3, turn over the, tops of the needles, as shown in Fig. 1'7, and producethe twists c in the spread portions 0 of the locking loops 0, as shown in Fig. 9.

' The sinkers and dividers 5 then move forward over the fabric A lying on the tops of the knockover bits 4 and the needles I rise to move the fabric down on the shanks of the needles I topositions below the tips of the beards 3, in the same manner as in regular narrowing.

The yarn guide I (Fig. 18) then traverses the bank of needles I and the sinkers and dividers 5 are operated in the usual manner, as shown in Figs. and 18, to sinkand divide a new yarn a: between the adjacent needles I, I, in the usual manner, for starting a new course b of regular plain stitches e,. e.

.Figs. 19, 20 and 21 clearly illustrate the new yarn a: being drawn through the spread portions 0 of the locking stitches *c and the underlying plain-stitches d of the previously formed non-run course a, to form the stitches e, e of the' next succeeding course b of plain regular stitches e, e.

During theformation of each course b of plain tips of the points 2 are above the tops of the regular stitches e the regular stitch forming mechanism of the knitting machine, including the regular stitch cams, operates in the normal manner. I

During the formation of each non-run course a composed of the locking stitches c alternating with and'spread over the intermediate plain or regular stitches d, spccialcams and controls are employed as will be hereinafter described.

During the laying of the new yarn a: for each non-run course d the normal loose course mechanism of the machine is preferably operated to provide greater length to the stitches c as originally formed, before spreading, in orderto provide enough yarn for the spread portions 0 of the locking stitches c without robbing the main portions 0 of the locking stitches 0, whereby these main portions c will be substantially the tion in bearings I3, I13 carried by the shaft I6 of the normal dipping motion of the knitting machine which is supported in the ends of the clipping arms I5, I5 of the machine. These arms, as usual, are pivotally mounted on the back shaft it of the machine.

The dipping of the shaft I4, and consequently the points 2, 2, is efiected in the usual manner of regular narrowing, by the dipping cams ii on the regular cam shaft 20 of the machine, through the'usual levers I8 and links I9.

The lateral shogging of the stitch-spreading points 2, 2 is produced by any suitable lace tackle with which the knitting machine may be equipped as, -forexample, the tackle shown in Figs. 22 to 26 inclusive.

In the present instance, the shogging mechanism includes a bracket 2I rigidly secured to the dipping shaft. I4. Pivoted on the bracket 2I is a lever 22 having a forked lower end 23 which straddles thepoint rod I2 and bears against one side of a collar 24 securedthereto. Between the oppositeside of the collar 24 and one of the bearings I3, which support the, point rod I2, is a spring 25. This spring tends at alltimes to move the rod I2 and the spreading points 2, 2 in one direction axially of said rod, and to rock the shogging lever 22 in a direction to force the cam follower 28 into contact with the periphery I of a point shogging cam 21 which is rotatably mounted on the bracket 2|.

The peripheral edge of the shogging cam 21 (Fig. 26) is provided with a plurality of series 1!, y obsteps 21a, 21b, 21c, with each step formed on a difierent radius swung from the axis of the cam 21.

While the step 21a of the cam 21 is opposite the cam follower 26, the spreading points 2, 2 are in planar alignment with the needles I, I, on which the initial loops of the locking stitches c, c are hanging, at an elevation wherein the lower needles I. The needles I move rearwardly in the planes of the points. 2 and the points 2 descend and enter the loops changing onalternate needles I, I, as shown in Fig, 11. For example,

needles I and points 2 rise together and the needles move forwardly, while the points 2 and needles I are in the same planes. The-needles I then move forwardly to the position of Fig. 12, to separate the needles from the points.

The cam 21 then moves to bring the step 21b opposite the follower 26, which shifts the points 2, 2, laterally to the left, from the planes of the needles I, I carrying the loops of wales 2 ,2 into the planes of the needles carrying the plain loops d, d, in Wales 2 2 whereupon the points 2 and needles I descend and come together into the position shown in Fig. 13. The points 2, 2 and needles I, I descend together at different speeds, from the position of Fig. 13 through the position of Fig. 14 into the position of Fig. 15. The needles continue to descend into the position of Fig. 16 while the points rise, by which the spread portions (2 of the locking loops c are stripped from the points 2. The needles I, I then rise through the position shown in Fig. 17 into that of Fig. 18, ready to receive the yarn for the next course b of plain regular stitches The needles I go through the cycle of Figs. 18, 19, 20 and 21 twice while the intermediate cam step 27b lies' opposite the follower 26, i. e. once to.

form the plain course I) and once to form the course of stitches which is to become the next non-run course a. When the loops of the course a are formed, the points 2, 2, which are still in planar alignment with the needles I carrying the newly formed loops of wales 2 a descend as previously described and enter the newly formed loops of wales 2 a after which the cam 21 moves to bring the highest step 210 opposite the follower 26, thereby shifting the points 2, 2 to spread the newly formed loops of Wales 2 2 over the plain stitches d, d of the next adjacent wales 2 ,2 to the left.

During the formation of the next plain course I), the cam 21 is rotated again, to bring one of the lowest steps 21a opposite the follower 26, whereby the points 2, 2 are shogged to the right, out of planar alignment with the needles I carrying the stitches of the wales 2 2 across the needles carrying the stitches of the wales 2 2 into planar alignment with the needles carrying the stitches of the wales 2 a two needles distant from where this later movement of the points2 to the right began.

The above noted step by step movements of the cam 21 are effected by a ratchet wheel 28 and pawl 29, from the main cam shaft 20 of the machine by a cam 3|] on the cam shaft 20 operating against a follower 3,! on one end of a lever 32. The lever 32 through a train of links and levers 33, 34, 35, 36, and 31 rocks a lever 33 on which the pawl 29 is pivotall'y mounted.

At times other than when non-run courses a, a are being produced, during which the cam 30 on the main cam shaft 26 of the machin rotates constantly and would effect undesirable step by step rotating of the point shogging cam 21, the follower 3| may be held out of contact with the cam 30, rendering the point shogging mechanism inoperative, by a latch lever 40 (Figs. 22 and 27) under control of buttons (not shown) on the pattern chain of the machine which is normal to the ordinary knitting machine and therefore has not been shown in the present instance.

The latch lever 40 is shouldered at 4| to lie under the rear end of the lever 32, as shown in Fig. 27. The latch lever 46 is pivoted at 42 to a bracket .43 secured to the rear beam 44 of the knitting machine. The lower end 45 of the latch lever 40 is normally held in contact with a block 46 on a control rod 41 by a spring 48. The control rod 41, is adapted to be reciprocated axially by a lever 50 (Fig. 30) pivoted at 5| to a suitable bracket (not shown) which is secured to the rear beam 44 Of-the machine.

The upper end 52 of the lever 50-15 engaged by a forked end 53 of a rear section 64a of a rod shifting lever 54 which is mounted on a fixed vertical pivot 55 for oscillation in a horizontal plane. The lever 54 includes an intermediate section 54b which is pivoted on a horizontal pivot 56 fixed in the rear portion 54a of the shift lever 54. This intermediate section 54b carries a cam follower 51 which is rotatably mounted on a horizontal stud for engagement with the peripheral edge of a disc cam 58 which is secured to the main cam shaft 20 ofthe knitting machine. The intermediate section 54b also carries a cam follower. 59 mounted on a vertical stud fixed in the section 54b, for engagement with a side cam 60 on the disc 58 by which the lever 54 is rocked about its pivot 55 to rock the lever 50 and shift the rod 41 to cause the block 46 to rock the latch 40 and release the lever 32, whereby the point shogging cam 21 will be operated step by step when the non-run courses a, a are being formed.

As the cam 60 is secured to the main shaft 20 of the knitting machine and rotates constantly therewith it is necessary during such times as plain regular fabric is being knitted to remove the cam follower 59 from the path of the cam 6|] and to hold it in such inoperative position. A rise on the peripheral edge of the disc cam 58 functions to rock the intermediate portion 54b of the non-run control lever 54 about its horizontal pivot 56 and thereby lift the cam follower 59 above the path of rotation of the side cam 60; and a latch lever 6| engaging the'under side of the front end portion 540 of the lever 54 functions to hold the lever portions 540, 54b and follower 59 in the raised inoperative position. The latch BI is controlled by buttons on the normal pattern chain of the knitting machine in the usual manner through a rod 62. The latch 6i is pivoted at 63 to a bracket 64, which is secured to the front beam 65 of the knitting machine.

In order to insure the lever 54 being at all times in position to be engaged underneath by the latch 6|, the front end section 540 of the lever 54 is pivoted, at its rear end, about a vertical axis 66 fixed in the forward end of the lever section 541) and the front end of the section 540 is forked at 6'! to embrace a vertical post 66 secured. to and projecting vertically from the bracket 64. When the lever 54 is rocked horizontally by the side cam 60, the front section 540 pivoting about the axis 66 is held within the range of movement of the latch 6| by the forked end 61 embracing the post 68.

As previously noted, the vertical movements of the spreading points 2 during spreading of the portions 0 of the locking stitches care effected by the dipping cam IT on the main cam shaft 20. Th coordinated vertical movements of the needles I, I are effected by a special cam Ill (Figs. 28, 29 and 34) which is secured to one side of the regular stitch cam II on the main cam shaft 29, in the place normally occupied by the regular narrowing cam 12, which latter in the present instance is placed against the non-run cam 19 on the side opposite to the regular stitch cam H.

As usual, the needles I, I are rigidly mounted rear ends of a pair of levers ll.

These levers, as usual, are secured to the stitch shaft 18 on which is also secured a lever 19 with a cam roller 89 rotatably mounted on a stud 8| secured in r the lower end of the lever (9.

Normally the roller 89 rides the peripheral edge of the normal stitch cam H to produce regular plain stitches and rides the peripheral edge of the narrowing stitch cam 12 only when the cam shaft 28 is shifted axially for narrowing of the fabric.

,In the present instance, the cam shaft 29 is shifted axially to its normal extent each time the primary loops of the locking stitches c are to be spread by the points 2, 2. Thus, with the nonrun cam 18 immediately adjacent the regular stitch cam H, the cam roller 80 rides off the mg ular stitch cam II onto the non-run cam 10 each time the cam shaft 28 is shifted to the right as viewed in Figs. 28 and 29, such shifting taking place when the contour portion 82, common to all the cams 18, H and 12 is opposite the cam roller 88 (Fig. 34).

As the cam 18 rotates in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 34 and the radii 0-4, Og, o-h, 0-1, 0-4, ok, and 0Z, successively pass the cam roller 80 the needles I, I are moved into the various elevations shown in Figs. 11, 12, 13, 14, -15, 16, and 17, successively. The cam l'l rotating in unison with the cam 18 at the same time moves the points 2, 2 to th various cooperating elevations, shown in said figures respectively, while the shogging cam 21 moves thepoints 2 laterally at the proper time in the cycle. At the same time the regular narrowing presser cam (not shown) which is also secured to the main cam shaft 28 and rotates in unison with the cams l8 and I1, rocks the needle bar 15 and conse- -quently the needles I, I through the various angular positions respectively shown in said figures, to cooperate in effecting proper engagement and disengagement between the needles I and points 2 to effect proper spreading of the loop portions 0 of the locking stitches c. a

In addition to being shifted for spreading the locking stitches c, c. in the manner above described, the main cam shaft 28 is also shifted in the same manner and to the same extent for narrowing the blank (Fig. 2) at the parts N N N and N effected by the usual mechanism common to all flat full fashioned hosiery knitting machines, un-

der the control of the usual pattern chain. As this mechanism is of well known construction and operates in a well known manner illustration thereof has been deemed unnecessary in the pres- The shifting in each instance is.

non-run or locking course a, thus it is possible to i use the narrowing mechanism for both narrowing and stitch spreading at difierent times.

'I'heshifting of the cam roller 88 on its supporting stud 8|, completely across the non-run stitch cam 10, is efiected by a lever 83 (Figs. 28,-

29, and 30) which is pivoted at 84 to a bracket 85 secured to the front beam 65 ofthe knitting machine. The inner end of the lever 83 is forked to receive a block 88 which is pivoted on a vertical pin 8'! between the two parts of the forked end of the lever 83. The block 86 is disposed between two collars 88, 88 which are secured to the cam shaft 28.

The outer end 89 of the lever 83 is adapted to be selectively connected to or disconnected from a slidable rod 90 which is mounted in suitable bearings 9| carried by a rigid portion of the machine. Secured to the rod 99 is a guide plate 92 which is provided with a slot 93 for reception of i the roller 88, whereby, a; the inner end of the lever 83 is rocked to the right, by movement in that direction of the cam shaft 28, the outer end of the lever, the rod 98, the guide plate 92, and

the roller 88 will be moved to the left and align the roller 88 is connected to the outer end 89 cam 12. This is accomplished by making the cam roller 80 slidable axially on the stud 8| and I by providing mean for shifting the roller 88 to the left (Figs. 28 and 29). when the cam shaft 20 shiftsto the right, whereby the roller 88,. at the spot (Fig. 34) will slide from the plane of the regular stitch camll across the face of the nonof the lever 83 by a connecting plate 94 which is provided with a s1ot95 adapted to embrace a vertical pin 96 on the end 89 of the lever 83 or a fixed locking lug 91 secured to a rigid portion of the knitting machine.

When. the blank is being narrowed, the slot 95 of the connecting plate 94 embraces the pin 98 on the lever 83 to effect shifting of the roller 89, but, when non-run fabric is being produced, the connecting plate 94 is swung on the rod 98 to cause the slot 95 to embrace the locking lug 91, whereby theroller 88 is maintained in a fixed position to be engaged by the regular stitch cam H for making the plain courses b, or by the nonrun stitch cam -10 when the cam shaft 28 is shifted to the right for spreading the loops 0 of the locking stitches 0 during the making of the non-run or locking courses a. In this instance the operation of the connecting plate 94 to and from its above noted positions is effected manually through a handle 98 thereon.

In the case of the footer, as shown in Fig. 29, the rod 90 is automatically connected to and disconnected from the lever 83. In this case (Fig.

30) a block 99 is secured to the rod 90 at one side of and, spaced from the lever 83 and'a second block I is secured to the rod 98 at and closely adjacent to the opposite side of the lever 83. A lever I8! is disposed between the block 99 and the lever 83, with the outer face of the lever IOI in the same plane as the outer face of the block 99. The lever I01 normally lies in contact with the block 9.9 so that the said flush outer faces together form a continuous surface against and across which the tip I82 of a pawl N13 is adapted to slide. The pawl I83 is pivoted on the outer end 89 of the lever 83. The lever I8! is secured to a transversely extending rock shaft I04 which the lever IOI will be rocked away from the block 99, leaving the tip I02 of the pawl I03 fall in and engage the end 93a of the block 99, when and as the lever 83 is rocked by the cam shaft 20 shifting to the right (Fig. 29). This causes the pawl I I02 to move the block 39, and consequently the rod 90, to the left, which shifts the roller 80 from the plane of the regular stitch cam 1I across the face of the non-run stitch cam 10 into the plane of the narrowing stitch cam 12.

As the lever 83 rocks in the opposite direction, at the end of the narrowing cycle, and as a result of the cam shaft 20 moving-to the left, thelever 03 engages the block I 9n the rod 41 and returns the roller 80 to its normal positionln the plane of the regular stitch cam 1I. At the same time, the rod 41 shifts in an opposite direction and causes the lever IOI to return to its normal position against the endv 33a of the block 93, thereby forcing the tip I02 of the pawl I03 away from the block 39 and disconnecting the rod 90 from the lever 83.

During the narrowing operation, on both the footer and the legger, it is essential that the spreading points 2, 2'do not engage the needles I, I at the time the narrowing points IIO engage the needles I, I adjacent the opposite marginal edges respectively of the blank, and for this purpose the bar I0 on which the spreading points 2, 2 are carried is rocked outwardly beyond the plane of the needles I. This is accomplished by a lever. II I secured to the point shaft. I2 (Fig. 29). The lever III has a laterally projecting pin II 2 adapted to engage a cam surface 3 on a cam lever II4, as the narrowing frame dips by operation of the lever I8 under control of the I dipping cam l1.

Normally the cam lever II4 lies to one side and out of the path of the pin II2 during knitting of non-run fabric, but when narrowing is taking place the lever H4 is swung about its pivot II5 by a throw-out lever H6 in opposition to a spring II1 whichtends at all times to hold the cam lever II4 out of the path of the throwout pin H2.

The throw-out lever H6 is secured to a transvers shaft II1 which latter is provided with an arm H8. The armIIB lies between the arms of a fork II9 which is secured to rod 90. When the rod 90 is shifted to the left (Fig, 29) to move the follower 80 onto the narrowing stitch cam 12, the throw-out shaft-I I1 is rocked and through the lever IIG moves the throw-out cam II3 into the path of the pin I I2 on the lever I I I, whereby, when the narrowing frame which carries the point shaft I2 dips, the shaft I2 is rocked and swings the spreading points 2, 2 out beyond the plane of the needle I, I so that these points do not disturb the stitches hanging on the needles I, I, intermediate those with which-the narrowing points H0, H0 are cooperating to narrow the fabric. A

In order to provide what is known as .the cradle foot, wherein the inner marginal edges a of the high splice reinforce A and b and b of the foot sole and toe reinforce B and B are covered points. outwardly, in opposite directions, step by step to form the angular. edges b b as the locking stepped gradually inwardly and lie at angles to the wales, covering knives I20, I2I are employed (Fig. 29). In the present instance these knives are shown only on the footer but it will be understood that when the non-run fabric is not to extend into the high splice heel reinforce A theseknives I20, I2I ar also applied to the logger.

As shown in Fig. 29, the covering knives I20 and I2I are carried by arms I22 and I23 respectively, These arms are secured to shift rods I24 and I25 respectively. The rods I24, I25 are slidably mounted in brackets I26 which are secured to the dip shaft I4. These shift rods I24, I25 are secured to stop engaging brackets I21, I28 respectively (Fig. 33). The stop brackets are provided with-bearing surfaces I29, I30 which engage bearing surfaces I3I and I32 respectively on stop nuts I33, I34. The stop nuts I33, I34 are threaded on right and left hand portions I35, I36 of a screw I31 which is rotatably mounted in a suitable frame which is fixed rigidly to the main frame of the knitting machine in the usual manner of cradle foot attachments.

The screw I31 is'provided with right and left ratchet wheels I3Ba, I38b which are rotated step by step in opposite directions by a double pawl I39 which is pivoted on an arm I 40. The arm I40 is freely rotatable on the screw I31 and is connected by a link I M to a lever I42 (Fig. 30) having a roller I 43 which rides on a cam I44 secured to the main cam shaft 20 of the machine.

During the knitting of the part of the foot adjacent the line T-T (Fig. 2) when the stitches of a-locking course a are being spread, the blades I20, I2I cover the narrowing points H0, H0 and the spreading points 2, 2 lying adjacent thereto, so that the covered points will not enter the stitches on the needles normally engaged by the The covering knives are moved courses a, a are successively produced, by turning the screw I31 in one direction step by step. During the knitting of that part of the foot -which includes the inner marginal edges b b the screw I31 is rotated in the opposite direction, step by step, merely by manually throwing the pawl I39 out of mesh with one ratchet wheel I38a or I38b, as the case may be, into engagement with the other of said ratchet wheels.

During the knitting of the intermediate portion of the foot, where the inner marginal edges b b (Fig. 2) of the foot-reinforce B B are parallel to the wales, the follower I43 on the rocking lever I42 is held out of engagement with the racking cam I44, by a latch I45 (Fig. 30) which is controlled-by buttons on the pattern chain of the'machine through a control rod I46. During the knitting of each narrowing course b in the portions N (Fig. 2) the covering knives I20, I2I are thrown out of action by rocking the shafts I24 and I25 to which these knives are respectively connected. For this purpose the rod I24 is provided with a lever I41 (Figs. 29 and 31) which is pivotally connected at I48 to a link I49. The link I49 has a sliding motion through the head of the pivot I48 and'a collar I50, secured to said link, is adapted to engage said head and effect rocking of the lever I;41. V

The slide rod I25 has a pair of'levers I5I, I5I

' secured thereto in spaced relation with a roller I52 rests against the.lever I41 and when this latter lever is rocked it in turn rocks the levers II, HI and the slide rod I25. This arrangement is effective to permit relative sliding motion between the two slide rods I24, .I25 while using a single actuating link I49t0 effect simultaneous rocking of the two rods and their respective covering knives I 20, .I2I.

The lower end of the link I49 (Fig. 30) is pivotally connected to a lever I54 which carries a follower stud I55. A follower I56 is rotatably and slidably mounted on the stud I55. Normally this follower rides a substantially circular disc I51 and holds the knives I20, I 2I in an inoperative position, during knitting of regular courses 1:, b of plain stitches, e, e.

point shaft I2 will be turned until the fiat I 68 bears against the spring I10.

From the foregoing description it will be clear wherein the leg A and instep A are composed of non-run fabric, with the welt B heel tabs -B toe B sole B ,.and if desired the high splice heel reinforce A composed of plain reinforced fabric with the inner marginal edges of the plain reinforced area of the foot etc, either parallel or at angles to the wales in what is known as a When the cam shaft shifts to effect spreading of the locking stitches c, c, the cam follower I56 rides a cam I58 by which the knives I20, I 2| are brought into operative relation to the narrowing points H0, H0 and the adjacent spreading points 2 '2 and are held there during the spreading operation, later returning to the inoperative position preparatory to the cam shaft 20 shifting in the opposite direction for knitting a new course of stitches.

When the cam shaft 20 shiftsfor narrowing in the parts N (Fig. 2) and the rod 41 is also shifted,

by the lever 54, the follower I 56 moves off the disc I51 and completely across the cam I56 onto another cam I 59, which actuates the knives I20, I2I into operative engagement with the points IIO, H0 and 2, 2, returning the knives to their inoperative position after the narrowing operation is completed. At the same time, however, the cam II3 becomes eifective to move the spreading points 2, 2 out of alignment with the needles I, I.

I This causes the knives I 20, I2I to be moved away center covering knife I60 also comes into operation in the normal usual manner.

The shifting of the follower I56 onto the cam I59, as above noted, is effected by a lever I6I (Fig. 30) which is slotted at I62 to embrace and guide the follower I56. The lever I6I is pivoted at I63 to a fixed part of the machine and has itssecond end I64 positioned between blocks or collars I 65, I65 on the rod 41, so that, when the rod 41 shifts for narrowing, the follower I56 will be moved onto the cam I59.

The comb formed of the bar I0 and spreading points 2, 2 is heldin and out of action by a collar I66 secured to the point rod I2 andhaving two flats I61, I66 with a point I69 therebetween, and a flat spring I10 which is carried by a collar I1 I secured to the dip shaft I4.

Normally the flat I61, bearing against the flat spring I10, holds the points 2, 2 in position to cooperate with the needles I, I. During narrowing, when the cam H3 engages the pin H2 and rocks the points 2, 2 out of needle alignment, the point I69 bearing against the flat spring I 10 tends at all times to .retum the points 2, 2 to needle alignment. When the points 2, 2 are to be permanently held out of needle alignment the French heel or a cradle foot; and that when non-run fabric is not desired the machine may be operated to produce plain fabric at will and without necessitating the removal of the non-run attachments of the present invention.

I claim:

1. In non-run mechanism for a conventional full fashioned hosiery knitting machine having a bank of needles, a cam shaft, a plain stitch cam and a narrowing stitch cam secured to said shaft, a lever and cam follower common to said plain and narrowing stitch cams for operating said needles; means for axially shifting said cam shaft to a normal extent to effect selective alignment of one of said stitch cams with said common follower, pattern means for controlling said shaft shifting means, narrowing points cooperative with said needles to effect transfer of stitches from needle to needle of said bank, and means including a cam on said shaft for operating. said narrowing points vertically in conjunction with operations of said needles by said narrowing stitch cam to effect said stitch transfer, the, combination of a series of stitch spreading points for plain stitch cam and said narrowing stitch cam in 2. Inv non-run mechanism for a conventional .full fashioned hosiery knitting machine having a bank of needles, a cam shaft, 9. plain stitch cam and a narrowing stitch cam secured to said shaft, a lever and cam follower common to'said plain and narrowing stitch cams for operating said needles, means for axially shifting said cam shaft to a normal extent to effect selective alignment of one of said stitch cams with said common follower, pattern means for controlling said shaft shifting means, narrowing points cooperative with said needles to effect transfer of stitches from needle to needle of said bank, means including a cam on said shaft for operating said narrowing points vertically in conjunction .with operations of said needles by said narrowing stitch cam to effect said stitch transfer, the combination of a series of stitch spreading-points for spreading stitches on predetermined needles over ative action'oi said needles with said spreading full fashioned hosiery knitting machineh-aving a bank of needles, acam shaft, aplain stitch cam and a narrowing stitch cam secured to said shaft, a lever and cam follower common to said plain and narrowing stitch cams for operating said needles, means for axially shifting said cam shaft to a normal extent to effect selective alignment of one of said stitch cams with said common follower, pattern means for controlling said shaft shifting means, narrowing points cooperative with said needles to effect transfer of stitches from needle to needle of said bank, and means including a cam on said shaft for operating s id narrowing points vertically in conjunction with operation's of said needles by said narrowing stitch cam to effect said stitch transfer, the combination of a series of stitch spreading points for spreading stitches on predetermined needles over needles respectively adjacent thereto, a non-run stitch cam secured to said shaft between said plain stitch cam and said narrowingstitch cam in the normal position of said narrowing stitch cam relative to said plain stitch cam and engageable with said common follower to effect cooperative action of said needles with said spreading points when said cam shaft is shifted to said normal extent, means operable by said normal shifting ofsaid cam shaft for shifting said common follower from said plain stitch cam across said non-run stitch cam onto said narrowing stitch cam, and means for selectively rendering said follower shifting means inactive during said normal shifting of said cam shaft. I

4. In non-run mechanism for a conventional full fashioned hosiery knitting machine having a bank of needles, a cam shaft, a plain stitch cam and a narrowing stitch cam secured to saidshaft, a lever and cam follower common to said plain and narrowing stitch cams for operating said needles, means for axially shifting said cam shaft to a normal extent to effect selective alignment of one of said stitch cams with said common follower, pattern means for controlling said shaft shifting means, narrowing points cooperative with said needles to effect transfer of stitches from needle to needle of said bank, and means including a cam on said shaft for operating said narrowing points vertically in conjunction with optive action of said needles with said spreading points when said cam shaft is shifted to said normal extent, means operable by said normal shifting of said cam shaft for shifting said common follower from said plain stitch cam across said non-run stitch cam onto said narrowing stitchcam, means for selectively rendering said follower shifting means inactive during said normal shifting of said cam shaft, and means adapted to cooperate with said follower shifting means for locking said follower in one position for selective engagement with said plain and non-run stitch cams.'

5. In non-run mechanism for a conventional full fashioned hosiery knitting machine having a bank of needles, a cam shaft, a plain stitch cam and a narrowing stitch-cam secured to said shaft, a lever and cam follower common to said plain and narrowing stitch cams for operating said needles, means for axially shifting said cam shaft to a normal extent to effect selective alignment of one of said stitch cams with said common follower, pattern means for controlling said shaft shifting means, narrowing points cooperative with said needles to effect transfer of stitches from needle to needle of said bank, and means including a cam on said shaft for operating said narrowing points vertically in conjunction with operations of said needles by said narrowing stitch cam to effect said stitch transfer, the combination of a series of stitch spreading points for spreading stitches on predetermined needles over needles respectively adjacent thereto, a non-run stitch cam secured to said shaft between said plain stitch cam and said narrowing stitch cam in the normal position of said narrowing stitch cam relative to said plain stitch can and engageable with said common follower to effect cooperative action of said needles with said spreading points when said cam shaft is -shifted to said normal'extent, means operable by said normal shifting of said cam shaft for shifting said common follower from said plain stitch cam across said non-run stitch cam onto said narrowing stitch cam, and means operable by said pattern means for rendering said follower shifting means inoperative during normal shifting of said cam shaft.

6. In non-run mechanism for a conventional full fashioned hosiery knitting machine having a bank of needles, a cam shaft, 9, plain stitch cam and a narrowing stitch cam secured to said shaft, a lever and cam follower common to said plain and narrowing stitch cams for operating said needles, means for axially shifting said cam shaft to a normal extent to effect selective alignment of one of said stitch cams with said common follower, pattern means for controlling said shaft shifting means, narrowing points cooperative with said needles to effect transfer of stitches from needle to needle of said bank, and means including a cam on said shaft for operating said narrowing points vertically in conjunction with operations of said needles by said narrowing stitch cam to effect said stitch transfer, the combination of a. series of stitch spreading points for spree ding stitches on predetermined needles over needles respectively adjacent thereto, a non-run. stitch cam secured to said shaft between said points when said cam shaft is shifted to said normal extent, means for shifting said spreading points laterally from needle to needle including a cam, a ratchet Wheel secured to ,the cam, a pawl for moving the ratchet wheel and cam step by step to effect shifting of said spreading points. a lever for actuating said pawl, and a cam on said cam shaft for operating said lever when said cam shaft is shifted to said normal extent 7. In non-run mechanism for a conventional full fashioned hosiery knitting machine having a bank of needles, a cam shaft, a plain stitch cam and a narrowing stitch cam secured to said shaft, a lever and cam follower common to said plain and narrowing stitch cams for operating said needles, means for axially shifting said cam shaft to a normal extent to effect selective aligning points for spreading stitches on predetermined needles over needles respectively adjacent thereto, a non-run stitchcam secured to said shaft between said plain stitch cam and said narrowing stitch cam in the normal position'of said narrowing stitch cam relative to said plain stitch cam and engageablewith said common follower to effect cooperative action of said needles with said spreading points when said cam shaft is shifted to said normal extent, means operable by said normal shifting of saidcam shaft for shifting said common follower from said plain stitch cam across said non-run stitch cam onto said narrowing stitch cam, means for shifting said spreading points laterally from needle to needle including a cam, a ratchet wheel secured to the cam, a pawl for moving the ratchet wheel and cam step by step to effect shifting of said spreading points, a lever for actuating said pawl, a cam on said cam shaft for operating said lever -when said cam shaft is shifted to said normal extent, and means for rendering said lever inactive when said common follower shifting means is active.

8. In non-run mechanism for a conventional full fashioned hosiery knitting machine having a bank of needles, a cam shaft, a plain stitch cam and a narrowing stitch cam secured to said shaft, a lever and cam follower common to said plain and narrowing stitch cams for operating said needles, means for axially shifting said cam shaft to a normal extent to effect selective alignment of one of said stitch'cams with said common follower, pattern means for controlling said shaft shifting means, narrowing points cooperatlve with said needles to effect transfer of stitches from needle to needle of said bank, means including a cam on said shaft for operating said narrowing points .vertically in conjunction with operations of said needles by said narrowing stitch cam to effect said stitch trans fer, covering knives cooperating with said points to render predetermined points ineffective, and means for moving said knives into and out of effective relation to said points as a body including an idler cam and a narrowing cam on said cam shaft, a lever carrying a follower engageable selectively with said cams, the combination of a series of stitch spreading points for spreading stitches on predetermined needles over needles respectively adjacent thereto, a non-run stitch cam secured to said shaft between said plain stitch cam and said narrowing stitch cam in extent, a third cam on'sald cam shaft between when said cam shaft is shifted to said normal extent, and means for moving said knives lat.- erally to vary the number of stitch spreading points to be rendered ineffective thereby.

9. In non-run mechanism for a conventional full fashioned hosiery knitting machine having a bank of needles, a cam shaft, a plain stitch cam and a narrowing stitch cam secured to said shaft, a lever and cam follower common to said plain and narrowing stitch cams for'operatlng said needles, means for axially shifting said cam shaft to a normal extent to efi'ectselective alignment of one of said stitch cams with said common follower pattern means for controlling said shaft shiftin means, narrowing points cooperative with said needles to effect transfer of stitches from needle to needle of said bank, means including a cam on said shaft for operating said narrowing points vertically in conjunction with operations of said needles by said narrowing stitch cam to effect said stitch transfer, covering knives cooperating with said points to render predetermined points inefiective, and means for moving said knives into and out of effective relation to said points as a body including an idler cam and anarrowing cam on said cam shaft, and a lever carrying a follower engageable selectively with said earns, the combination of a series of stitch spreading points for spreading stitches on predetermined needles over needles respectively adjacent thereto, a non-run stitch cam secured to said shaft between said plain stitch cam and said narrowing stitch cam in the normal position of said narrowing stitch cam relative to said plain stitch cam and engageable with said common follower to effect cooperative action of said needles with said spreading points when said cam shaft is shifted to said normal extent, a third cam on said cam shaft between the idler and narrowing cams for operating said covering knives into and out of engagement with said narrowing and stitch spreading points when said cam shaft is shifted to said normal extent, means for moving said knives laterally to vary the number of stitch spreading points to he rendered ineffective thereby, and means for shifting said covering knife controlling cam follower from said'idler cam across said third cam onto said narrowing cam during said said cam shaft.

10. In non-run mechanism for a conventional ment of one of said stich cams with said common follower, pattern means for controlling said shaft shifting means, narrowing points cooperative with said needles to effect transfer of stitches from needle to needle of said bank, means including a cam on said shaft for operating said narrowing points vertically in conjunction with operations of said needles bysaid narrowing stitch cam to effect said stitch transfer, covering knives cooperating with said points to-render predetermined points ineffective, and means for moving said knives into and out of effective relation to said points as a body including an idler normal shifting of 

